n.
Pronunciation: ' pre-s ə -d ə nt
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 : an earlier occurrence of something similar
2 a : something done or said that may serve as an example or rule to authorize or justify a subsequent act of the same or an analogous kind <a verdict that had no precedent > b : the convention established by such a precedent or by long practice
3 : a person or thing that serves as a model